TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MENA WEEKLY STAR MARCH 7, 1918 P, 5
The Pupils of the Acord School:
Once being a scholar in your school, I thought perhaps it would please you to hear from me, as I am always pleased to hear from any of the pupils.
You all would be surprised to see the children going to school in this country with their wooden shoes even the boys wear dresses. When they walk in line they sound like a drove of horses.
We do not realize the advantages of American schools until we see the schools of the foreign countries, then one feels proud that he is an American.
We are having some terrible storms at sea of late and it is very hard on the sailors, but every one is doing his duty.
I have seen many countries since I left the good old U. S., but none of them are as nice as our own.
The boys were glad when Xmas came because they were anxious to see Santa Claus, the boys received nice packages from the schools where they were once a pupil also from friends and relatives.
A sailor is always anxious to receive mail from home and friends because that is what he is fighting for.
I must close and will write you more next time, and hope you will write a sailor boy a letter. I am not allowed to write my address, so please get it from my sister, Mrs. Hardie Jones. Must close.
Your ever sailor friend.
James Dewey Wiggins.
January 4, 1918.
NOTES: James Dewey Wiggins was born on March 1900 in Texas and died on December 2, 1956 in Seattle, Washington. By 1910 he was living in Polk County with his brother-in-law, Hardie Jones. He remained in the Navy after the war ended, serving on the U. S. S. Henshaw in 1920.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.
The Pupils of the Acord School:
Once being a scholar in your school, I thought perhaps it would please you to hear from me, as I am always pleased to hear from any of the pupils.
You all would be surprised to see the children going to school in this country with their wooden shoes even the boys wear dresses. When they walk in line they sound like a drove of horses.
We do not realize the advantages of American schools until we see the schools of the foreign countries, then one feels proud that he is an American.
We are having some terrible storms at sea of late and it is very hard on the sailors, but every one is doing his duty.
I have seen many countries since I left the good old U. S., but none of them are as nice as our own.
The boys were glad when Xmas came because they were anxious to see Santa Claus, the boys received nice packages from the schools where they were once a pupil also from friends and relatives.
A sailor is always anxious to receive mail from home and friends because that is what he is fighting for.
I must close and will write you more next time, and hope you will write a sailor boy a letter. I am not allowed to write my address, so please get it from my sister, Mrs. Hardie Jones. Must close.
Your ever sailor friend.
James Dewey Wiggins.
January 4, 1918.
NOTES: James Dewey Wiggins was born on March 1900 in Texas and died on December 2, 1956 in Seattle, Washington. By 1910 he was living in Polk County with his brother-in-law, Hardie Jones. He remained in the Navy after the war ended, serving on the U. S. S. Henshaw in 1920.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.